Bim Kendall House Open House Friday

August 24, 2010

The Bim Kendall house at Fremont and 8th streets is the new home of UW's Environment and Natural Resources Program.

An open house for the new home of the University of Wyoming Environment and Natural Resources Program (ENR) is scheduled Friday, Aug. 27, from 5-7 p.m. The Bim Kendall House is located on Fremont and 8th streets.

This new office location is the center of the ENR program, housing the Haub School, Ruckelshaus Institute and Wyoming Conservation Corps. This event also welcomes back ENR students, and is an opportunity to tour the building and meet the architects and construction team behind its innovative design.

With its new energy-efficient addition, the house provides office, classroom and common spaces for students, staff and faculty. The 1950s prairie-style building, formally known as the Verna J. Hitchcock House, has been retrofitted with sustainable building materials and renewable energy technologies. ENR is seeking the silver level in LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Friday's event includes the dedication of the Bergman Gardens, honoring former ENR director Harold Bergman. The xeriscape, which includes a variety of native plants, was made possible by donations from members of the Ruckelshaus Institute Board.

The Kendall House renovation and construction was made possible by a gift from Don and Bim Kendall. The project also received funding from the Kresge Foundation, Rocky Mountain Power, and matches by the Wyoming State Legislature.